Author: admin

A city without walls was a disaster waiting to happen. Without a defense, any enemy that approached could inflict severe harm. It mattered not how beautiful the houses were or how magnificent the edifices appeared in the interior. If there were no walls, there would be no peace. Without peace, there could be no long-term prosperity.

Some people make great efforts to better themselves. They obtain an education, apply for good jobs, get married, begin a family, and join a church. Yet they do not effectively control their own spirit. As a result, they lose their temper, or speak cruelly to others, or fail to demonstrate self-control. As a result, all that they have built in their life is assaulted and torn down. Years of labor can be ravaged in moments. People who do not control themselves are taking one step forward and then two backwards.

Ruling over our spirit should not be done haphazardly. It is a decision we make each day. Because we controlled our spirit yesterday does not mean we will effectively rule our spirit today. Carefully build strong walls around your life so you protect all that has been constructed over a lifetime.

It is one thing to be hot and another to be cold. But those who are lukewarm are particularly despicable. We expect evil people to act wickedly. After all, that is their nature. Conversely, we should be able to expect God’s people to behave righteously. That is, after all, what God intends for them to behave like. Yet sometimes they do not.

There are many reasons why Christians compromise their beliefs and values. Sometimes they simply succumb to the world’s temptations. Some yield to the pressure placed on them by others. Others, in a misguided belief they must “tolerate” evil people, may inadvertently allow themselves to be manipulated. Some may simply choose not to hate what God hates. Contamination does not always happen overnight. Sometimes it is a slow process. The reasons for compromise are legion.

What could be more frustrating than for a thirsty person to stumble upon a contaminated spring? At a distance, the water offers hope of refreshment and revival. But up close, its filth produces deep disappointment and loss. From a distance, your life may appear righteous. But how does it look when people draw close?

Some people talk too much! They have comments about everything, whether they have been invited to contribute them or not. There are those who love to hear themselves speak and can rattle on for hours without having said anything of substance.

The key is often not how much you speak, but what you say and when you say it. There are moments in life when the right word, spoken at the opportune time, can change everything and save the day. But those kinds of words are not easily come by.

To speak a perfect word at a critical moment, we must first excel at listening. Have we truly heard what others are saying? Do we clearly understand the issue at hand? Have we considered the alternatives? Am I merely repeating what others have previously said or do I have a significant contribution to make? Is this person prepared to receive feedback?

It is not a sin to be ambitious. In fact, we ought to strive to do our best in every situation. One consequence of doing things with excellence could well be promotions, awards, and recognition. Nonetheless, while we need not be surprised at the honors we receive after having done our best, we must never yield to the temptation to push ourselves into the limelight.

Some people can’t wait for God to honor them. Instead, they naturally gravitate to center stage. Positions of power allure them. They can’t help but make their way to the forefront, and the microphone. This can be a troubling tendency.

It is one thing for others to recognize our efforts and to reward us. It is quite another for us to blow our own horn and to grasp at honor and position. Those who push their way into prominent positions may suffer the disheartening experience of being rudely ushered out of those same places. Such honors and distinguished assignments are hollow if we have to manipulate our way in to them.

Far better to humbly and discreetly do your best, then wait for others to notice and reward your work. Such rewards can truly be savored, for you know they came honestly and genuinely, and not through your own plotting and scheming.

God’s people can be too tolerant of evil and wicked people. We can be tempted to excuse wickedness in the name of tolerance or diversity or good business or even godly patience and forgiveness. However, wise leaders understand that to allow wicked people to exert influence in their organization is to make everyone vulnerable. Wickedness is a lethal infection that poisons everything it touches.

Those who do not operate on godly principles can be tempted to make compromises or resort to unethical behavior. They are not guided by the same principles as believers are so they have different standards for their conduct. Further, Satan’s forces are constantly looking for ways to thwart God’s purposes and to dishonor His name. To allow evil people influence over you and those you lead is to make yourself extremely vulnerable.

Conversely, when leaders surround themselves with godly colleagues and counselors, they function in safety. The Holy Spirit has access to His people and they can steer you away from danger. Those led by the Spirit are governed by biblical principles and are sensitive to their God-given conscience. They understand that they will give an account of their work, not only to you but also to God. How much better to surround yourself and your organization with such people!

People don’t always want to hear the truth! In fact, some may respond angrily and defensively if you are honest with them. As a result, it is tempting to tell people what they want to hear as opposed to what they need to be told. To do so is to be a coward.

The true friend and counselor is the one who always strives to give the correct answer to the one who enquires. This requires wisdom, careful thought, accumulated knowledge, and courage! At times we can agonize over whether to tell the truth or not. What if we hurt someone’s feelings? What if the person becomes angry or rejects us? What if we are misunderstood, or wrong?

The kindest thing we can do for people is to tell them the truth. To give them the right answer. To do so is like giving them a kiss. It blesses and encourages them. When you are known as someone who gives correct answers, you will regularly be sought out and consulted with by others. You will become a trusted advisor. Time with you will be prized.

What is the quality of answers you have been giving to others? Are they the caliber of response that compels people to come back to ask more of you later?

Some people we know to be wary of. It seems self-evident that we ought to avoid becoming too closely associated with those who have an explosive temper as well as people who are chronically deceitful. It is easy to see how such companions could bring great us harm.

However, there are others for whom we must be careful. One such person is the one who is subject to change. These individuals act inconsistently when you relate to them. One day they are kind and thoughtful. The next day they are self-centered and rude. One day they seem to be impeccably trustworthy, but the next day you are astonished at their brazen lack of ethics.

Relationships are based on trust. Yet you cannot place your faith in someone whose character and standards are as fickle as the changing wind. People who are constantly changing demonstrate that they have no firm foundation to their character. They are driven by passions rather than by principles. Such people have a plethora of excuses for why they change their behavior from day to day. With them, the only thing certain is that their behavior is unpredictable.

Beware of the commitments made to you by a person subject to change. They will surely cause you grief. What they sincerely promised yesterday may no longer seem binding to them today. Be careful what you entrust to them!

Do you have a safety net adequately surrounding your life? Are you prepared should you unexpectedly stumble? Everyone makes mistakes. We are all vulnerable to occasional setbacks. The question is not whether we can avoid stumbling but, how quickly and successfully can we get back on our feet? The key is the safety net of godly friends and counselors we place around ourselves.

Godly friends do not gather around you haphazardly or of their own accord. They must be recruited and cultivated. But they are supremely worth the effort. When you make a mistake or show bad judgment, they will be at the ready to help you get back on track. They will offer sound advice. They will come to your aid. They will believe in you and cheer you on as you get back to your feet. What confidence it should give us to know that, should we fail, there are those ready to stand with us through thick and thin.

It is a different story for the ungodly. They have friends as long as things are going well. While there is a party, people crowd around them. But when adversity strikes, such companions evaporate like the morning dew. Those who developed casual, shallow relationships will discover to their dismay that they melt away in times of trial and adversity. When the wicked stumble, great is their fall.

Few things are less agreeable than someone who is continually critical of others. Yet there are people whose greatest pleasure is mocking the efforts of others. You can find them holding court wherever they can find an audience. They will go to great lengths to laugh at what others are doing. No fault is too small to highlight. No shortcoming too minor to shout from the mountaintop.

To make matters worse, such people are often better at criticizing others than they are at performing superior work themselves. Scoffers are often driven by the misguided belief that by putting down others, they somehow lift themselves up in peoples’ eyes. If everyone else looks stupid, then they must appear brilliant.

But the fact is that scoffers leave a bad taste in peoples’ mouths. Criticism and mockery drain the soul. It quenches the spirit. It views life through a negative, dark lens. The only ones who enjoy listening to the constant banter of a scoffer are shallow, small people who delight in demeaning others. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into their huddle. Wise people avoid such gatherings and topics. If, however, you find yourself attracted to such bitter venting, beware. At first you may only be a passive member of the audience. But before long you will develop a scoffer’s heart as well. Watch out for scoffers, for their words are poison to your soul.

It is extremely easy to make a mistake! In fact, you can make many without even trying! Some errors are not serious. We brush them off and keep on moving forward. Others can be devastating, for us and for those we lead. In some cases, one mistake is enough to ruin us. One costly error can cripple or destroy an entire organization. While we cannot inoculate ourselves from errors, there is much we can do to avoid big mistakes.

Scripture repeatedly advises that there is great wisdom in gathering advisors around us. One trusted friend is helpful. The value of many candid counselors is inestimable.

Most people “connect” with certain kinds of people. Often they are the ones who act and think like we do. Sometimes they are older, more experienced colleagues or people with expertise in areas where we are largely ignorant. We can be tempted to be content with minimal counselors. After all, seeking advice takes time. Touching base with one or two trusted friends may be all the time we think we have. We may have a deadline to meet or many responsibilities to fulfill. We may think: Seeking counsel is good, but getting the job done is most important.

Yet getting the job done is not as critical as getting the job done, correctly and efficiently. Without gaining proper counsel, we may meet the deadline but we may also suffer from mediocrity or worse. If you cultivate effective counselors in your life and work, seeking their advice need not be cumbersome or time-consuming. Actively develop a system of wise counselors around you. It could be the most important job you do.